Biology

Nidoran♂ is a small, quadruped rodent-like Pokémon. It is pinkish purple with darker spots, and has large, spiny ears, oversized front teeth, and red eyes. Its back is covered with many large spines that can release potent poisons if threatened. There is a long, pointed horn on its forehead. The size this horn is indicative of the strength of its venom. This is an exclusively male species; Nidoran♀ is its female counterpart.

Nidoran♂ constantly listens for the sounds of approaching enemies with its large ears. Said ears have unique muscles that allow them to be moved in any direction, and even the slightest sound does not escape Nidoran♂'s notice. If In order to listen to distant locations, it flaps its ears like wings. When angry, it extends its toxic spikes and charges then stabs with the horn to inject poison. Nidoran♂ lives in open spaces, such as savannas and plains.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, wild Nidoran♂ were seen several times before it appeared as a Trainer Pokémon belonging to Wilton. Green attempted to trick the man into trading his Butterfree for her weak Weedle because his Pokémon was infatuated with her female Nidoran. Red was able to stop her from carrying out this plan, however.

Trivia

Nidoran was the first Pokémon to feature gender differences, and even gender; however, their difference is much greater than later Pokémon.

Despite the addition of genders in all Pokémon starting in Generation II, the two variations of Nidoran remained separate species, rather than a singular species that splits down different evolution paths based on gender.

A Nidoran♀ Egg does, however, have a chance of hatching into a Nidoran♂.

Due to the fact that his gender, ♂, is included in his name, checking Nidoran♂'s summary from Generation II onward will display as if he were genderless if he does not have a nickname. If his nickname is anything other than "Nidoran♂", his gender will appear as normal.

Nidoran♂ is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 273.

Origin

Name origin

Nidoran♂ may be derived from needle. It may also come from cnidocyte, a type of venomous cell responsible for the stings delivered by stinging animals, most notably jellyfish. Alternatively, it may be based on 二 ni (two) or 二度 nido (two times/two degrees) referring to the two distinct evolutionary lines with similar names and traits. Also, the Japanese word ran is translated as orchid in English. Orchids are flowers that can be purple or blue, these being the same colors as the male and female evolutionary forms of Nidoran, respectively. The ♂ is an indication of its male gender.